A Vote of Confidence for NEO Kids: A Victory for Kids!

Press Release

A Vote of Confidence for NEO Kids: A Victory for Kids!

As a pediatrician, I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am that the North East Local Health Integration Network has given its support to a comprehensive children’s health centre in northeastern Ontario.
It’s called NEO Kids, and its construction will mean that fewer children and their families have to leave the north to get the care they need.
Last year, children and families across the northeast had to make 10,000 trips to Toronto, Ottawa and London. That works out to one child, every hour of every day, leaving the north to get care.
These trips are very difficult for children and families – physically, financially and emotionally.
I know that first-hand. As a pediatrician and Medical Director of NEO Kids, I deal with those families every day. But as a child, I experienced it myself.

I had special care needs, and many, many days of my youth were spent travelling back and forth between the north and Toronto to get the care I needed.
My experiences are what inspired me to become a pediatrician.
They also inspired me to advocate for NEO Kids, because I want to do everything I can to make sure as few children as possible have to go through what I did as a child.
The North East LHIN support is a big step forward, but we are not yet done. We will now work with the LHIN and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on final approval and funding for the construction of NEO Kids.

The NEO Kids Centre will be designed and built specifically for children. It will look and function differently from adult centres, offering an exclusive kid-friendly experience for our young patients and families.

I want to thank the NE LHIN for supporting this project. I also want to thank the incredible support we’ve received across northern Ontario, from hospitals, major institutions, local governments, children’s agencies, First Nations leaders, businesses, elected officials and individuals, particularly parents.
NEO Kids belongs to all of us. Together, with your support, it will be built.
Thank you
Dr. Sean Murray
Pediatrician, Medical Director, NEO Kids

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